The provocative, spoken-word performance artist Minton Sparks will be taking the stage at Flying Anvil Theatre presenting her Open Casket show for a live audience August 26-29. The performance will also mark the debut of new material from her album “Where Humans and Birds Begin,” accompanied by acoustic guitarist John Jackson. Sparks, born in Tennessee and raised in Arkansas is a poet, comedian, performance artist, novelist, teacher and essayist.
The Open Casket program revolves around the people in Sparks’ life and a review of the characters that make up a rural community. As they say in the south, “We don’t hide crazy. We parade it on the front porch and give it a sweet tea.” She invites you to grab a sweet tea, pull up a chair, set a spell and take a listen.
Tickets are $35, general admission. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Flying Anvil Theatre is located at 1300 Rocky Hill Road. Info or to purchase tickets here or call 865-357-1309.
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Knoxville Opera will be accepting submissions from October 1–31 for a “Mefistofele” poster competition. The winner will have their work featured as the official poster of Knoxville Opera’s March 4 and 6, 2022, production of Mefistofele, in addition to a $750 cash prize. Go here for submission guidelines and eligibility requirements.
For info on other local events, contact the Arts & Culture Alliance.
Suzanne Cada is deputy director of the Arts & Culture Alliance